Caley Stan

Should we stop playing long balls altogether? Perhaps ban all passes longer than 20 yards? There's not point in being dogmatic about this. We got a point that we barely deserved yesterday by resorting to direct football and we'll need to do a lot more of that if we plan on staying in this division. Tell me Ren - would you prefer to go down playing tiki-taka?

Got all of the 2nd half on a stream. We showed good character and imposed ourselves well physically in midfield. There are more positives to take from this game than the Well game. However, it's going to be a real challenge for Butcher to sort the back four out.

My stream died just before the goal but at that point we looked reasonable in the midfield with Hayes in particular looking impressive. However, the defence continues to look shambolic, even at corners. I was very surprised to see Tokely keep his place. I also can't understand why Butcher has gone into this season with Tade as our main striker. He simply does not look like an SPL player.

Cracking free-kick from Tansey saved well by Gallagher. He's going to score one those soon enough.

Good move from Tansy and Doran sees Tansey free in the box but his touch lets him down and he fails to get a shot away. Caley fans singing Elvis.

Ryan saves brilliantly from Barrowman who was inside the 6 yard box.

An unacceptable oversight on my part. I watched that in the Auld Toll with a raging flu. It was one of Charlie's first games in charge and didn't hint at the brief explosion of exciting football that was about to follow. Just looking back at the stats - we scored 18 goals and conceded 11 in Charlie's first 6 league games!

Just short of 10 years since we found ourselves with a midweek game at Somerset in the quarters of the same tournament. We had a very healthy crowd down that night between the stand and the terraces. I really think that Rosscoe should be allowed to play in centre midfield for this game.

Where the feck is Hayes playing?

This was certainly the case in the 1st half at Motherwell where he looked a lot more comfortable in the middle after the break. I think his best games have come when he plays in a deepish centre midfield role.

I was hoping for Greece but this might turn out to be even better. I'm going to keep my kilt in Athens and buy a season ticket for the Balkan Express. We could win this group and we could finish bottom of this group. The group also has the potential to cause serious problems in the chain of wooded mountains, and as sad as that fact is, it may be our best hope of qualification. A small confession here. I've just been checking for rooms in Rio for June 2014. Chic Young says he's going to retire at the end of this World Cup, and that alone is worth celebrating.

I think we just about managed to wet the wee man's head tonight with Montecristos and Black Isle ales on the roof of Lothian House. Granda Murray seems to be coping well so far - i'll be punting plenty of that responsibility in his direction. In spite of my best efforts, Dennis, Telford, Charlie, Pele, Herchie, Vetle and Johndo have all been rejected as potential names. The poor wee bugger is called Kyriakos Murray McKenzie - Caley100 has already shortened that to 'Jock'. Mother and baby appear healthy, and we're in the early stages of explaining the theory behind 'The Wyness Shuffle' and how to use it most effectively. He's a big boy (10lbs 6oz) and is feeding well. The way things are going he might manage a steak bridie at East End Park on Saturday.

Can't seem to find much detail on this. Certainly, the payments will only apply to those who have been capped for the U21's which rules a fair few on the list above (everyone but Nicky?). As for how recent the cap needs have been and whether the player actually needs to start the game, i don't have a clue. Aldred's birthplace shouldn't be an issue if he has actually been capped at U21 level but i don't think he has.

A defence first, counter-attacking 4-3-3: Esson Piermayr Tokely Aldred Gillet Ross Tansey Morrison Hayes Foran Doran Nicky, Tansey and Morrison (until Cox is back) would have to stay narrow and disciplined to protect the back 4. The front 3 would also have defensive duties, especially Foran who would come deep whenever we lose possession. More of a stop gap until we sign a striker and a defence.

Good. I hope these guys are first team regulars because Proctor and Tade don't look up to scratch at this level. I think he's almost always been poor as an SPL defender. His better spells in recent seasons have come in midfield and even then he always lost his place when the squad was at full strength. His versatility means that he's a good guy to have around - especially in a small squad, but i found it depressing that he was our first choice right-back on the opening day of season and his performance did nothing to lift my spirits. Good points. Yes. Having seen the highlights, I realise that i was too kind to the defence. Tokely was a complete shambles in every clip. As for 6/8 - don't think Andy Barrowman isn't studying all of this.

I think 3-0 was a fair result. Playing a back 4 who clearly hadn't gelled without adequate cover in defensive midfield looked incredibly naive and invited Motherwell to wait for chances to come their way without having to commit many men forward. While we had our moments going forward, teams will quickly learn that they can afford to give Tade all the space he wants because the guy is incapable of controlling a football. Full marks for effort though. We had more possession in the second half but only because Well were happy to sit in at 2-0. Even then, it was embarrassingly easy for them to create opportunities as our defensive looked uncomfortable for the entire game. If we're to avoid a relegation battle this season then i think we need a right-back, a centre-half, and a striker. It's also important that Cox gets and stays fit to provide a bit of steel in a centre midfield that was far too lightweight yesterday. If Proctor has a role in this squad then it should be as cover in midfield, but maybe even that is too close to the defence for comfort. Butcher has a job on his hands form a team here. A glance at yesterday's bench confirmed that. And if things don't work out then the names Russell Duncan and Grant Munro will continue to feature regularly on this forum.

My appetite has been so thoroughly whetted that i cannot sleep. And i got to explain the definition of benighted to a tribe of Greeks. It's actually quite easy when you think about it. One of Mary's finest performances to date in spite of the following historical inaccuracies: 1. We were actually pretty average in winning 4-1 at Fir Park in September '06. That's how bad Motherwell were under Maurice Malpas and it's vital that we don't forget it. 2. Barry's screamer was from at least 36 yards. Anyone willing to go higher?

So how much did this affair cost us in the end?

Morrissey

Lava and Ignite is absolutely horrible and anyone over the age of 21 going in there has a problem of some kind. Last time i saw Blackie he was in Marchmont's Victor Hugo Delicatessen on a Sunday morning looking very grown up. Why couldn't he just stick to the cured meats?

Sgt Norman Pilcher sprung to mind as soon as i heard this story. Hundreds of folk are doing coke all over the centre of Edinburgh every weekend and 3 footballers get done in 24 hours. Sounds like somebody at LBP's getting a wee but excited with their power.

In 06/07 we won consecutive home games against Rangers, St. Mirren and Hibs.

Made a couple of good saves as well going by the highlights. Hope he sticks around next season.

First game in a while for me and i'm really looking forward to it. The players deserve a great reception for what they've achieved this season and i hope we can give them that. T6NY and ICTChris - just name the the train and i'll see you on it.